Shane McClanahan, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays (47-20) as they host the Texas Rangers (41-22) at Tropicana Field on Sunday with the three-game series tied at 1-1.
The Rangers leveled the series 1-1 after winning 8-4 on Saturday. Nathan Eovaldi went 6.1 innings for the win, giving up four runs on seven hits.
Corey Seager was 5 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and had four RBIs. Francisco Mejia went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Rays. He drove in three runs.
ON THE MOUND
Martin Perez (6-1, 3.97 ERA) is slated to start for Texas. The LHP allowed one run (zero earned) over seven innings in his last start, a 4-3 road win over the Cardinals on Monday. He scattered three hits while striking out five and walking one in the no-decision.
Perez is making his first appearance against the Rays this season. Over two starts against the Rays in 2022, Perez was 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA over 12.1 innings. He had eight strikeouts and one walk.
For Tampa Bay, left-hander McClanahan (9-1, 2.02 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rangers. In his last start on Monday, McClanahan got the win on the road against the Red Sox.
He threw six innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out five and walking two in the 4-1 triumph. The lefty leads MLB in ERA and is tied for first in wins. He also ranks fifth in the AL in strikeouts (87).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Texas has averaged only 4.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.3, while performing worse across the board (.246/.325/.415). Against lefties like McClanahan this season, the Rangers have a .838 OPS, third highest in the league.
Josh Jung is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a 1.081 OPS in 55 at-bats. Tampa Bay is averaging only 5.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.7 for the season.
The Rays have a .898 OPS against left-handers in 2023, the second highest in MLB. With a 1.107 OPS over 43 at-bats, Harold Ramirez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Texas is 20-13 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.9 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Tampa Bay has gone 30-7 at home this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.5.
In the last 10 games at Tropicana Field between the teams, each club has won five with an average scoreline of 4.0-4.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by five games over the Astros. The Rays lead the AL East by six games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-190)
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